Information and inspiration for the woman who trains to fight

Raw Edges Revisited, 2014

Practice the Art of Taking a Punch (December 2)Being able to take a punch is about developing defensive skills and physical fortitude to address the inevitability that, if you’re mixing it up with another fighter, you’re going to get hit. A worthy opponent is going to serve you a feast of punches, but that doesn’t mean you need to eat all those punches like you’re a hungry heavy bag.

Confidence (November 17)When I am confident, it’s not that I always know I’ll be successful; it’s that I am comfortable whether I fail or succeed, that I know I am learning and giving 100%. That I will evolve from the experience.

Willing To Be Hit (November 3)We often wait for the “right time” to take action. We look for that perfect clean shot or for the moment we see the opening, but that’s always too late. Risk getting hit and you will find your power in unimaginable ways.

Read This if You Need a Kick in the Pants… (October 27)You are the only reason you’ve never done a pull up. Not because you’re a girl, or because you have long/stringy/weak arms, or whatever other excuse you’ve made up for yourself. Your own mindset is the only thing holding you back from cranking out pull up after pull up... You’ve already told yourself you can’t do it, so your body and mind listen.

Training (October 13)One must be willing to experience disappointment, failure, let downs, being hurt and a host of other feelings in order to get somewhere new in life and the ring. You must embrace that you are going to be hit to make yourself less likely to be hit.

The Value of Video (Coaching) (October 6)Watching the action from the outside allows the athlete to understand the issues that are present in a way that is vivid and sometimes unexpected. Watching oneself onscreen can cause horror and embarrassment, but it can also lead to the realization that the training drills they despise are actually for a real purpose!

Sparring - You Should Try It (September 29)It is a powerful experience to give and receive punches. It’s a powerful experience to agree to be vulnerable with others watching. You learn all about your defensiveness, how you do or don’t bully, where you are scared, where you are confident and how well you can relax under pressure.

Teddy Atlas Corner Motivation with Michael Moorer (September 4)"You’re doing just enough to keep him off yo and hope he leaves you alone. You’re lying to yourself. You’re gonna cry tomorrow because of this. Do you want to cry tomorrow? Huh? Don’t lie to yourself. Back this guy up and fight a full round…”

Arcaro on Boxing (August 25)Boxing is a long time sport... Boxing is a slow walk up a Himalayan peak and wondering just how many false summits you are going to encounter.

“Rhythm” Ray Robinson (August 18)"Rhythm is everything in boxing. Every move starts with the heart, and that’s in rhythm or you’re in trouble."

Losses (August 4)The truest lesson from boxing training is knowing how to develop mental strength. Boxers learn how to use experiences in daily life to train for the ring and how to use boxing to train for life.

Repose and Activity (July 28)Once in the pocket, the goal is to slow down the mind and adrenaline reactions so you can have specific effective responses. It takes a ton of repetition and practice as well as a lot of failure.

Hauntings (July 17)When you step in the ring, adrenaline rises as does everything from your sub-conscious. Recently I’ve been calling this The Haunting. It takes over your thoughts and interrupts your instinct. The Haunting usurps your focus and keeps you from the task right in front of you.

So, You Think Boxing is Barbaric? (July 30)Life is far more barbaric with the words and insults we sling at each other. We are always pretending that our words and others' towards us don’t hurt as much as a punch to the face. I can tell you that a punch to the face hurts less because it feels a heck of a lot more honest.

Repetition (June 13)Keep repeating your patterns and habits until you can really understand what you are doing. Stay patient when you don’t have different results, the answers are right there in the situation.

Boxing and Vulnerability (June 9)Boxers have to know what they are feeling and contain the feelings so they can perform without stuff getting in the way. It never works to fight emotionally. It’s not weak to feel emotional, but it is a detriment to have the emotion rule your actions.